1982 4 Speed?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 10
From: Big Pine Key FL
Originally Posted by The_Dude
In fact, the only way to get a manual transmission in a full sized pickup nowadays, is to get a diesel engine.
I went Dodge this time with the "old" 5.9 cummins and new MB 6 speed. Truck is 7700 lbs empty and gets 20MPG average
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,051
Likes: 677
From: FL
Originally Posted by Ak. Mal
The flipside of your arguement is that many more people didn't/don't mind an automatic transmission in their Corvette's.
The difference is between people that have Corvettes and Corvette-people. The majority of those on the forum are Corvette-people. That is why we have a lot of folks on the forum who have Tremec 5 speeds, BB swaps, 17" rims, etc. People that just have a Corvette see it as just another car.
Unfortunately, America has come to love automatic transmissions. Europeans still like the stick shift. Here are some percentages for US auto sales.
These are total light vehicle sales (in millions of units) of domestic and import car and trucks broken down by automatic and manual transmissions:
Year Automatic % Manual % Total
1985 10,021,482 77.6% 2,887,171 22.4% 12,908,653
1990 10,141,794 78.7% 2,752,150 21.3% 12,893,944
1995 12,816,559 83.1% 2,602,211 16.9% 15,418,770
2000 15,995,874 90.0% 1,785,377 10.0% 17,781,251
2001 14,898,961 90.6% 1,540,618 9.4% 16,439,579
2003 16,752,979 92.6% 1,335,531 7.3% 18,088,510
*Includes manual/automatic hybrids
Year Automatic % Manual % Total
1985 10,021,482 77.6% 2,887,171 22.4% 12,908,653
1990 10,141,794 78.7% 2,752,150 21.3% 12,893,944
1995 12,816,559 83.1% 2,602,211 16.9% 15,418,770
2000 15,995,874 90.0% 1,785,377 10.0% 17,781,251
2001 14,898,961 90.6% 1,540,618 9.4% 16,439,579
2003 16,752,979 92.6% 1,335,531 7.3% 18,088,510
*Includes manual/automatic hybrids
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 355
Likes: 18
From: Corona Ca
Newbie here with a question: were any specs filed with anyone for a standard shift car that may not have been available domestically? I had read of parts for Gen3 Camaros and C4 Vettes that were available for "Europe Only" (lighting, exhaust) and "Desert Only (Saudi)" (lighting, exhaust, extreme duty engine/oil/trans systems cooling). These were built into the cars here but not for us, and then the cars were exported. Were there any 82 Vettes built for export with a standard trans?
Similar idea, for the 70 Monte Carlo SS, 4 speed manual trans specs were filed with the Automobile Manufacturers Association, but the TH400 was all that could be had on a normal (RPO) order (supposedly you could get a standard if you knew how). In 71, again no RPO listing of a 4 speed, but heavy duty clutch was listed in the salesmans data album.
Does anyone know what Chevy said they might want to build for the 82 C3 m/y, even if they didn't build it?
Best regards,
Tom
Similar idea, for the 70 Monte Carlo SS, 4 speed manual trans specs were filed with the Automobile Manufacturers Association, but the TH400 was all that could be had on a normal (RPO) order (supposedly you could get a standard if you knew how). In 71, again no RPO listing of a 4 speed, but heavy duty clutch was listed in the salesmans data album.
Does anyone know what Chevy said they might want to build for the 82 C3 m/y, even if they didn't build it?
Best regards,
Tom
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Well '84 had a manual transmission option and had the same engine as '82, essentially. I think they were still testing the Doug Nash 4+3 in '82 and didn't want to chance putting something like that on it so they held off until the '84.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg Virginia
Love the one you're with
Originally Posted by TexasYankee
I own a 1982 and love it for what it is.
I love the automatic 4 speed, the 85MPH speedo. So what?
I love the way people that pass me when I drive by them point and stare and wave.
I love it when I punch the gas and the old gal takes off like a bat out of hell.
It is as much a Corvette as any other year. It commands attention.
To dismiss a Vette because it is a automatic is just plain silly.
I love the automatic 4 speed, the 85MPH speedo. So what?
I love the way people that pass me when I drive by them point and stare and wave.
I love it when I punch the gas and the old gal takes off like a bat out of hell.
It is as much a Corvette as any other year. It commands attention.
To dismiss a Vette because it is a automatic is just plain silly.
My CE is the last of an era, with luxury features that make cruising a lot of fun (OK, when I had to find hatchback struts it wasn't fun
). While not a big block racing demon, when she's on the highway and I kick the spurs to her, I'm flying. (That 85 Mph on the speedometer is merely a suggestion 
). And if I slowly and evenly accelerate, she's at 85 before I can blink. She's not meant to drive slowly, despite all the luxury goodies, and chomps at the bit in slow traffic.Maybe if I were Chevy, I would have sunset the last of the Big Vettes, with a pure muscle, manual transmission, big engine beast in limited numbers that would have been the crown jewel in this transition period. But given all the restrictions that were levelled on car makers in the early 80's, (take the looks of the 82 Mustang for instance) it's still quite a car!
A Corvette is a Corvette. You love the one you have (or for some of you luckier SOBs, the several you have). There's no Corvette like your Corvette. It might even be cheaper than therapy.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by JaxFl82
...The 82' was actually produced until Feb 83'...
'84 production began in March of calendar year 1983, continued through January 1984 and ended in August. 17 calendar months, but only one January so all of it counted as the 1984 model year.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Except that, as I pointed out, it isn't true. 
I believe we are talking about production cars, as in available to the public
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Very true...
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Oh dear Dog...not the "there was no '83 Corvette" story again. GM built about 44-47 of them. All but one were destroyed. The NCM has the last one. They were all properly VINed, hand-built pilot vehicles.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2000...ry/83/83p1.asp
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2000...ry/83/83p1.asp
Easy Mike: Sounds like your info is more complete then mine..I'll concede the point.
Last edited by JaxFl82; Sep 28, 2006 at 02:37 PM.